Hand Controls Lettering

Does anyone have a good way of recreating the lettering for the hand controls? Mine has faded away and you can no longer make out what they say? The only word I can make out is Run. I didn't know if there are tiny alphabet decals or scatch of lettering. Please let me know.

 

Find a friend with a label maker, use clear film with white lettering. You can print just about any size text you need. I re-labeled all the controlls on my venture and it looks great. Clean the surface real good and trim it close to the lettering and you can hardly tell its a label. Just can't figure out how to make the round one on the idnition lock.
I used one like this Dymo Label maker
http://www.officemax.com/office-supplie ... rod3210190

 

another couple of ways to do it are 1. use a toothpick and dip it in the paint then fill the "letters". 2. carefully apply the paint and then wipe flush across the letters sideways, it will leave the letters nice and bright yet remove it from the unwanted surfaces.

jeff

 

I think he's talking about the decals.

Check with chacal, I believe he carries replacements; there are also a couple of reproduction decal places that offer them; and they pop up on eBay occasionally.

I replaced the lettered ring around the igniton switch on my bikes, it's a nice "finishing" touch.

 

I never even noticed that they were decals since all of mine are still very nice but you're right about the "finishing touches"....they are what makes a resto, even a partial resto look exceptional.

This is one I did for one of my bikes using the paint and wipe method, it leaves razor sharp edges and looks the best.

jeff

 

I'm a BIG Fan of "Little Detailing"

I use the "Paint & Wipe" Method, too.

I also use the "Finger-print Method" on raised lettering.

Procure some Latex Exam Gloves. : )
(Next time you go to the Dr. Office, ... don't leave empty handed.)

Put a drop of Paint on a 3X5 Card.
"Stretch-it-out" with a Razor Blade.
With your finger tightly-covered by SMOOTH Latex, ... Roll your finger on the Paint.
Then, ... Roll your Finger across the Raised Letters like you are "Getting Fingerprinted".

Transfer the Paint on the Glove to the Top of the Letters.

 

I use the same two methods, but for the life of me can't understand why I never thought to use a latex glove instead of my bare finger! LOL

 

gloves from the Dr's office? I buy them by the case it seems. I try to keep my hands clean when working so I usually don a set before beginning to putter. Your cover looks good Rick. I've never tried that technique for raised letters before but I'll give it a try. It's funny that you bring that up today because I just finished doing the raised "650" below the dash on my bike but instead of using a glove, I used a cotton swab. It comes out really nice. The cotton swab is good for small areas and contrary to what you first might think, it leave a perfectly smooth finish. The trick to it is not to apply any pressure, just a nice smooth stroke.

I also found when I looked, that I need to buy an ignition decal as well.

jeff

 

You can "Paint" the tiny, raised letters under the Signal, Neutral, Beam, Oil warning lights, too.

Use a Brand New Pencil.
Cut it in half.
Chuck the half with the Eraser in your Drill.
Rotate the Eraser on 1200 Finishing Paper until you have a slight "Dome"

Use the Eraser as the "Fingertip"
Get some Paint on the Dome and using great precision, ... "Touch" the tiny letters.

Works on Plastic Brake Caliper Covers, too.

 

Now I just need to get a custom decal for my ignition switch. I'm looking for one that has the normal "OFF", "BOTH" instead of "ON", "LEFT" and "RIGHT" farther to the right just for the decal.

5 points to anyone getting the reference.